Emap splits into three standalone businesses

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Emap
has announced a major restructure that will see its business operations
split and rebranded into three distinct operating companies.

Emap
Connect, the exhibition, large-scale conferences and events division
that accounts for 44 per cent of the total group’s turnover, will now be
rebranded i2i Events Group and focus on global growth opportunities.

The i2i business is being led by Mark Shashoua, who was appointed MD of Emap Connect last November.

Emap
as a whole is being rebranded to Top Right Group to reflect the
structural change and the organisation’s long-term growth and high
performance aspirations, the company said in a statement.

Its
information services business, including WGSN and Customer Insight, will
now be known as 4C Group. Former Thomson Reuters global head of its
exchange traded instruments business Stephen Wilson will join 4C Group
on 10 April to lead the business.

The Emap brand will be
retained by the group’s now standalone publishing and associated events
business, led by Natasha Christie-Miller.

Top Right Group CEO Duncan Painter said decision to split into independent operating entities was about
creating a culture that encourages growth. Each unit will be responsible
for its own investments and its future.

“We’re devolving
responsibility from the centre and will give our new operating companies
the freedom to be more independent, agile and single-minded in pursuit
of these objectives,” Painter said.

“They will develop their own
distinct strategies, focused on customer needs and our strongest
brands, with the aim of delivering better services and sustainable
top-line growth.

“From a small centre, the group function will
play a background role as a catalyst for change and expansion,
particularly internationally.”

I2i’s portfolio includes a host
of exhibition titles including BETT, World Retail Congress, Spring Fair
International, RWM, BVE Expo, Pure London and Naidex. The group also
manages the Lions Festivals.

According to the company statement,
Shashoua’s immediate focus is to build an international sales team and
seek expansion opportunities in fast-growing overseas markets with a
particular focus on China, Latin America and Singapore.